THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOMETHING MUST be done and must be done now about the crime situation in this country. We cannot continue to allow a small band of 'fifth column' barbarians to mash up this country. The preservation of this land called Jamaica for the overwhelming majority of us who are law-abiding must take precedence over the rights of these criminal barbarians. Their rights must be suspended to allow the police to pick them up, lock them up until a case can be built against them. If it takes five years to build a case against them, so be it.
It is totally unacceptable to allow a 'fifth column' in our midst, slowly destroying this country. This is war and extraordinary measures must be taken if we are to win the war.
After 30 years abroad, I am home for good. I will not leave this country because of a few illiterate gun-toting criminals. Follow America's example. No right-thinking Jamaican would blame the Government for taking such a step. The preservation of this country for our children should be of paramount consideration. Human rights activists can say what they want, because they have not yet been touched by crime ? and when it becomes too hot for them, they can always pack their bags and head for Europe or North America. The majority of us don't have that option.
Dr. Peter Phillips should introduce, with immediate effect, legislation to forfeit the rights of these criminals, thereby enabling the police to hold them indefinitely in a special facility. How about asking the U.S. Govern-ment to hold them for us at Guantanamo Bay? I am sure our American friends would help us. If the world's greatest democracy finds it necessary to curtail the human rights of some of its citizens in order to protect its people, why shouldn't we do the same?
We tend to follow the lead of First World countries in almost everything that affect our national life (food, movies, fashion, etc.), so why not add their approach to national security?
I am, etc.,
BEN HENRY
Rose Hall
Montego Bay
